Resilient structurally coupled and electrically independent electrodes
First Claim
1. A body implantable device for conducting tissue stimulation pulses generated by an electrical pulse generator, including:
- an electrode array comprising a resilient, elongate and electrically conductive first electrode;
an elongate resilient and electrically conductive second electrode; and
an electrically insulative connecting means for securing the first and second electrodes relative to one another, said electrode array tending to assume a loop configuration when in a relaxed state, each of the first and second electrodes having an exterior surface exposed over a majority of the electrode length and being electrically isolated from the other electrode when the electrode array is in the loop configuration;
an elongate and flexible first conductor having a distal end portion electrically coupled to the first electrode and a proximal end adapted for coupling to an electrical pulse generator, for conducting electrical pulses between the pulse generator and the first electrode;
an elongate and flexible second conductor having a distal end region electrically coupled to the second electrode and a proximal end adapted for coupling to the pulse generator, for conducting electrical pulses between the pulse generator and the second electrode, said first and second conductors being electrically isolated from one another;
an electrode deployment means operatively associated with the electrode array for confining the electrode array elastically compressed against a restoring force in a delivery configuration to facilitate a body insertion and delivery of the electrode array to a predetermined stimulation site within the body, the deployment means being controllable from along a proximal region of the first and second conductors to effect a release of the electrode array at the stimulation site, whereupon the electrode array returns to the loop configuration under the restoring force; and
a control means coupled to the electrode array for selectively elastically deforming the electrode array, after said release, out of the loop configuration and into an implant configuration in which the first and second electrodes remain electrically isolated from one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cardioversion/defibrillation device includes a lead catheter housing, two electrically independent conductors, and a pair of resilient helically coiled electrodes, one electrode coupled to each of the conductors. The distal ends of the electrodes are contained within an insulative, resilient coupling sleeve, such that the electrodes and sleeve form a loop when in the relaxed state, with the electrodes electrically isolated from one another. To facilitate body insertion and delivery to the electrode placement site, the electrodes and coupling sleeve are loaded into a delivery cannula, which elastically deforms the electrodes and sleeve into an elongate, narrow delivery configuration. Upon release from the delivery device, these components resiliently return to the loop configuration. If desired, an inextensible filament secured to the coupling sleeve is pulled proximally after deployment to selectively reconfigure the electrodes into two loops. Another modification involves several linear electrode branch segments, coupled to each electrode and projected inwardly of the loop or loops formed by the electrodes.
354 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A body implantable device for conducting tissue stimulation pulses generated by an electrical pulse generator, including:
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an electrode array comprising a resilient, elongate and electrically conductive first electrode;
an elongate resilient and electrically conductive second electrode; and
an electrically insulative connecting means for securing the first and second electrodes relative to one another, said electrode array tending to assume a loop configuration when in a relaxed state, each of the first and second electrodes having an exterior surface exposed over a majority of the electrode length and being electrically isolated from the other electrode when the electrode array is in the loop configuration;an elongate and flexible first conductor having a distal end portion electrically coupled to the first electrode and a proximal end adapted for coupling to an electrical pulse generator, for conducting electrical pulses between the pulse generator and the first electrode; an elongate and flexible second conductor having a distal end region electrically coupled to the second electrode and a proximal end adapted for coupling to the pulse generator, for conducting electrical pulses between the pulse generator and the second electrode, said first and second conductors being electrically isolated from one another; an electrode deployment means operatively associated with the electrode array for confining the electrode array elastically compressed against a restoring force in a delivery configuration to facilitate a body insertion and delivery of the electrode array to a predetermined stimulation site within the body, the deployment means being controllable from along a proximal region of the first and second conductors to effect a release of the electrode array at the stimulation site, whereupon the electrode array returns to the loop configuration under the restoring force; and a control means coupled to the electrode array for selectively elastically deforming the electrode array, after said release, out of the loop configuration and into an implant configuration in which the first and second electrodes remain electrically isolated from one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A body implantable device for conducting tissue stimulation pulses generated by an electrical pulse generator, including:
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a resilient electrode means for stimulating tissue including at least one elongate resilient curvelinear electrode having an exposed exterior surface over the majority of its length and curvelinear when in a relaxed state to define a loop, the electrode means further including a plurality of substantially linear electrode branch segments, each branch segment electrically coupled at one end to the curvelinear electrode and directed inwardly of the loop; an elongate and flexible conductor means having a distal end region electrically coupled to the at least one curvelinear electrode and having a proximal end adapted for coupling to an electrical pulse generator for conducting electrical pulses between the pulse generator and the electrode means; and an electrode deployment means for releasably confining the electrode means in a compressed delivery configuration against an elastic restoring force, to facilitate a body insertion and delivery of the electrode means to a predetermined stimulation site within the body, the electrode deployment means being controllable to release the electrode means, whereupon the electrode means returns to the relaxed state under the restoring force. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A process for implanting a plurality of electrodes epicardially in electrical isolation from one another, including the steps of:
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providing a deployment device having a lumen and a distal end with an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes contained in the lumen in an elastically compressed delivery configuration, with a plurality of electrical conductors contained in the lumen electrically isolated from one another and proximally of the electrodes and having respective distal end regions, one of the conductors electrically coupled to each of the electrodes; inserting the distal end of the deployment device into a body through a subxiphoid, subcostal or intercostal incision, and moving the deployment device distally until the distal end enters a pericardial space through a pericardial incision; positioning the distal end near a predetermined epicardial stimulation site to align the electrodes with the stimulation site; proximally withdrawing the deployment device while maintaining the electrodes so aligned, to release the electrode array from the deployment device whereupon the electrode array, under an elastic restoring force, assumes a loop configuration in which the electrodes are maintained in electrical isolation from one another at the predetermined epicardial stimulation site; and following deployment, selectively elastically deforming the electrode array into an implant configuration including a plurality of loops, with the electrodes remaining electrically isolated from one another. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification